Word Origin & History

tempest "violent storm," mid-13c., from O.Fr. tempeste (11c.), from V.L. *tempesta, from L. tempestas (gen. tempestatis) "storm, weather, season," also "commotion, disturbance," related to tempus "time, season." Sense evolution is from "period of time" to "period of weather," to "bad weather" to "storm." Words for "weather" were originally words for "time" in languages from Russia to Brittany. Figurative sense of "violent commotion" is recorded from early 14c.

Example Sentences for tempest

It is like a parting burst of sunshine at the end of a day of tempest.

The tempest of passion may be brewing under this soft sunshine.

A little surcease, then return of the tempest, like return of Polyphemus.

The tempest had not increased in the last hour, and I hoped we had seen the worst of it.

The great audience almost leaped to its feet at the sound of that tempest and earthquake.

Sit down; for you cannot stand under the tempest of your own feelings.

Then I explained that the tempest was a moral one, and would certainly break when we met in with Madame Marie.

Overwork is a tempest that strikes down the bravest and best.

To still the tempest Wolsey had only one resource left: this was to render Clement favourable to his master's designs.

She was big and round, and when she walked her dress whirled about her like a tempest.